BEAUMONT, Texas — On Friday, the University Interscholastic League canceled all spring sports due to the coronavirus pandemic.
""First thing that goes through your mind is that you are heartbroken for these seniors," Orangefield athletic director Josh Smalley said. "For some of them, this was their last opportunity they'll ever have to lace it up and compete at this sport again. It's not like the NCAA where they granted kids an extra year of eligibility, the UIL and school system is not going to do that."
Though it was a tough decision by the UIL, Smalley appreciates that they didn't cancel the season earlier like California, Arizona and Louisiana.
"They have me hope, they gave our kids hope," Smalley said. "It ain't easy for them either. You get to know some people in UIL and you know they care about kids and the last thing they wanted to do was cancel."